Hollywood Notebook

HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK

JUNE 14, 2007

by John Mucciolo

A quintet of stakes events were on display at Hollywood Park over the past

week, which included the return of Lava Man (Slew City Slew).

Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (G1): Martin and Pam Wygod's homebred AFTER MARKET (Storm Cat) overtook local hero

Lava Man in midstretch and pulled clear to a 1 1/2-length tally for conditioner

John Shirreffs. The talented four-year-old sizzled home in 1:58 3/5 for 10

furlongs on the firm turf course under Alex Solis to notch his initial Grade 1

victory.

Honeymoon Breeders' Cup H. (G2): DiPietro et al's VALBENNY (Ire) (Val Royal [Fr]) took command in the lane and

strolled home a most impressive 1 3/4-length victress for trainer Paddy

Gallagher. The classy sophomore miss stopped the teletimer over the firm turf in

1:48 for nine furlongs, earning her second consecutive graded win in the

process.

Hollywood Breeders' Cup Oaks (G2): Watson and Weitman Performances LLC's TOUGH TIZ'S SIS (Tiznow) left little

drama late in posting a convincing 3 1/2-length win for trainer Bob Baffert. The

three-year-old filly was in control after six furlongs and was never threatened

thereafter, reaching 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 1/5 beneath Aaron Gryder.

Ack Ack H. (G3): Stonestreet Stables' EL ROBLAR (War Chant) went three-deep into the stretch

to seize the lead and was never under serious duress late with Victor Espinoza

aboard to record a two-length score. The five-year-old went in 1:28 2/5 for 7

1/2 furlongs over the Cushion Track for trainer Richard Mandella.

Redondo Beach S.: Todaro et al's SOMETHINABOUTLAUARA (Dance Floor) held off a stubborn Dancing

Edie (Moscow Ballet) to record a thrilling head tally for conditioner Jerry

Hollendorfer. The consistent five-year-old mare got one mile on the firm sod in

1:34 3/5 under the guidance of Espinoza.

Track Stats

From a total of 44 races held over the Inglewood, California, racetrack,

favorites won at a 29 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for

54 percent of the wins for the week. From 31 frays contested on the Cushion

Track, five horses won in wire-to-wire fashion (15 percent), while not a single

winner of the 13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead.

Meet totals through Week 7:

RACES:		320
DIRT:		238
TURF:		82
FAVORITES:		108 (34 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		72 (22 percent)
TURF WIRE:		10 (12 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		50 (21 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH:

Wednesday (6/6)

2ND – DAYTONA (Johannesburg) had little chance in here due to the dawdling

pace, but the fourth-place finisher could be one to watch on the drop. If the

Jack Carava trainee receives a legitimate pace scenario in his next outing, he

could surprise at a square price. He earned a 96 BRIS Late Pace number in this

one.

7TH – IMAGINE (Giant's Causeway) closed with excellent energy to dust this

group in her second start of the 2007 season. The Shirreffs pupil was exiting a

decent fourth in her stakes debut and should be headed to a similar event in the

near future. The four-year-old earned a lifetime best 89 BRIS Speed figure.

Thursday (6/7)

7TH – ZANN (Dynaformer) showed some rust in his first start off a near

six-month absence and should be plenty tough next out for conditioner Michael

Machowsky. The Grade 3-placed four-year-old needed this one and will surely be

much tighter for his subsequent start. The dark bay was rewarded with a 105 Late

Pace number.

Friday (6/8)

2ND – LIKELY A STAR (Salt Lake) came back gamely after being passed in the

lane to post a solid tally in here for Chris Paasch. The sophomore lass is

equipped with good tactical speed and showed some heart in this one, registering

a 94 Late Pace figure.

7TH – QUEEN'S IMAGE (Halo's Image) closed with a fury to earn his fourth win

from seven career starts. The Jeff Mullins charge looked especially good late,

completing his final quarter-mile in :23 1/5 to win going away. The Florida-bred

was given a 93 Speed figure in his second start off the shelf.

Saturday (6/9)

1ST – EAGLE ISLAND (Fusaichi Pegasus) was very sharp in her debut and appears

to have a bright future for conditioner Neil Drysdale. The juvenile lass was

alert at the start and finished off this group with ease, scoring a 92 Speed

number. Drysdale doesn't generally have them cranked up for their debut, so this

is one to keep a close eye on.

10TH – After Market looked unbeatable early in his career, hit a patch where

he looked extremely average, and has now regained his top form once again in

what could be a telling sign for the summer turf season in Southern California.

The blue blood beat the champ on his home turf and could dominate a lackluster

division this year. The four-year-old earned a whopping 110 Speed figure.

A look ahead

The $100,000 Affirmed H. (G3) and $75,000 Round Table H. are the stakes on

tap for the upcoming weekend.